An Oldham Athletic player has been suspended by the club after being charged with grooming and child sex offences.

Jack Tuohy, 19, will appear before the courts after being charged with two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, three counts of inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming.

He was arrested on October 18 last year in the Oldham area on suspicion of meeting a teenage girl following sexual grooming.

Tuohy, of Lower Dingle, Oldham, was charged on Friday morning before being suspended immediately by Oldham Athletic.

He appeared at Oldham Magistrates' Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Tuohy will appear at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on June 23.

The midfielder went on loan to Bury side Ramsbottom United FC last season, but has since returned to Oldham.

An Oldham Athletic statement reads: “The club was informed that Jack Tuohy had been charged with several offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 on April 27 and with immediate effect suspended his employment until further notice.

“As this is now a matter for the courts, the club will not be commenting further.”

Tuohy made his League One debut for Oldham Athletic in May 2015, in a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United at Boundary Park.

Tuohy, an Oldham Athletic academy graduate, made his first appearance for the senior team in an FA Cup first found clash with Leyton Orient in November 2014.

A GMP spokeswoman said: “Jack Tuohy was charged with two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, three counts of inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming.

“On Sunday, October 18, he was arrested in the Oldham area on suspicion of meeting a teenage girl following sexual grooming.”